Composite resin filling syringe and technique

ABSTRACT

THIS DISCLOSURE IS DIRECTED TO A DENTAL MATERIAL CARRIER AND AN APPLICATOR GUN THEREFOR. THE DENTAL MATERIAL CARRIER COMPRISES A NOZZLE PRE-LOADED WITH A PREDETERMINED AMOUNT OF A DENTAL FILLING MATERIAL AND HAVING A DISPLACEABLE PISTON TO EFFECTIVELY SEAL THE DENTAL MATERIAL WITHIN THE NOZZLE UNTIL USED. OPERATIVELY ASSOCIATED WITH THE PRE-LOADED NOZZLE IS AN APPLICATOR GUN ADAPTED TO DETACHABLY RECEIVE THE PRE-LOADED NOZZLE AND HAVING A PLUNGER FOR EFFECTING DISPLACEMENT OF THE PISTON TO EXTRUDE THE FILLING MATERIAL FROM THE CARRIER AS DESIRED.

June 1, 1971 w. B. DRAGAN 3,581,399

COMPOSITE RESIN FILLING SYRINGE AND TECHNIQUE Filed Aug. 8, 1969INVENTOR- BY WILLIAM B. DRAGAN arz faifi k ATTORNEY United StatesPatentv ific 358L399 Patented June l, 1971 3,581,399 COMPOSITE RESINFILLING SYRINGE AND TECHNIQUE William B. Dragan, Fairfield, Cnn.,assignor to Centrix, Inc., Easton, Conn. Filed Aug. 8, 1969, Ser. No.848,421 Int. Cl. A61c /04 US. CI. 3260 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSUREThis disclosure is directed to a dental material carrier and anapplicator gun therefor. The dental material carrier comprises a nozzlepre-loaded with a predetermined amount of a dental filling material andhaving a displaceable piston to effectively seal the dental materialWithin the nozzle until used. Operatively associated with the pre-loadednozzle is an applicator gun adapted to detachably receive the pre-loadednozzle and having a plunger for effecting displacement of the piston toextrude the filling material from the carrier as desired.

PROBLEM Heretofore extreme ditficulty had been encountered by dentistsin applying a filling material in a prepared cavity. Generally thefilling material was applied to a prepared cavity by a palate or similartool. Consequently the tooth or cavity was filled from the outside inwith this technique. The disadvantage of this technique is that it wasconducive to the formation of voids within the cavity. This was becausethe palate technique of packing a filling material could notsatisfactorily get the material into small and difficult to get atareas. Also there was a tendency for air bubbles to form as a result ofthe packing. With the more recent composite type resin filling material,packing of the material with a palate was further handicapped in thatthe material tended to stick to the palate. Consequently the materialwould pull out of the cavity when the packing palate was removed. Alsosome filling material tended to discolor when placed in contact with themetal of a palate tool; thereby resulting in undesirable discolorationof the filling. This discoloration effect was of a particulardisadvantage when such technique was used on a filling in the frontteeth.

OBJECTS It is an object of this invention to provide a dental materialcarrier and applicator therefor whereby a cavity can be filled by acontrolled flow-in method, i.e., filled from the inside out so as toeliminate the formation of voids or air bubbles within the cavity fill.

Another object is to provide an applicator for a dental filling materialin which a pre-loaded nozzle or tip is rendered readily detachable anddisposable with respect to the applicator.

Another object is to provide a dental carrier and applicator therefor inwhich the material can be readily and accurately applied to a desiredarea and in readily controllable amounts.

Another object is to provide a dental material carrier in the form of adisposable nozzle which is preloaded with a predetermined amount of thedental material that is sealed within the carrier by a displaceablepiston which is also adapted for extruding the material from the nozzlewhen displaced.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The foregoing objects, features andadvantages are attained by a readily disposable carrier for a dentalfilling material which is in the form of a nozzle which is preloadedwith a predetermined amount of a dental filling material. Thepredetermined amount of material is sealed within a reservoir portion ofthe nozzle by a displaceable piston.

An applicator gun is provided for effecting the controlled discharge ofthe material from the pre-loaded nozzle. The applicator gun comprisesessentially of a barrel housing having an end wall portion fordetachably accommodating the preloaded nozzle. Reciprocally mountedwithin the barrel of the gun applicator is a plunger having an actuatingprojection arranged in axial alignment with the displaceable sealingpiston of the nozzle.

Upon actuation of the plunger toward the nozzle tip, the actuatingprojection is brought in contact with the piston to effect displacementthereof. In doing so the material is extruded from the discharge openingof the nozzle. Preferably the discharge opening is angularly disposedrelative to the reservoir portion of the nozzle so as to provide forease of access to otherwise difiicult to reach areas.

FEATURES A feature of this invention resides in the provision of areadily disposable carrier for a dental filling material which is in theform of a nozzle pre-loaded with a predetermined amount of the dentalfilling material.

Another feature resides in the provision of a dental applicator gunconstructed so as to render a pre-loaded nozzle readily attachablethereto, and which is provided with a means for effecting a controlleddischarge of the dental filling material therefrom.

Another feature resides in the provision of a dental material carrierand applicator therefor for obtaining an accurate and controlleddispensing of the material in which a prepared cavity can be filled fromthe inside out so as to eliminate voids.

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent whenconsidered in view of the drawings and specification in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of the dental carrier and applicator gunillustrated partly in section showing the plunger in the inoperativeposition.

FIG. Q is a view similar to that of FIG. 1 but illustrating the plungerin the advanced material ejecting position.

FIG. 3 is an end view taken view taken along line 33 on FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged detail view of a pre-loaded nozzle carrier for thedental filling material.

FIG. 5 is a modified embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is another modified embodiment of the invention.

Referring to the drawing there is shown a nozzle or carrier 10 which ispre-loaded with a predetermined amount of dental filling material 1 1,e.g. composite resins such as Adaptis, Addent, etc.; and an applicatorgun 12 for ejecting the material 11 therefrom as may be required. Thenozzle or carrier 10 is preferably formed of a clear plastic material soas to be rendered readily disposable. The nozzle or carrier 10 isdefined by a body having a tubular reservoir portion 10A which isadapted to contain the major amount of the predetermined measure ofdental filling material 11. Integrally connected to the reservoirportion 10A of the carrier is a discharging tip end 10B. As shown, thedischarging tip 10B progressively diminishes in cross-section from theinlet end to the outlet end thereof. It will be understood that thecarrier or nozzle 10 may be made by molding or drawing. Accordingly thetip end 10C of the discharge tip 10B may be initially sealed asindicated in FIG. 4 or may be formed with a preformed orifice opening.However, it will be understood that an orifice opening of the form ofFIG. 4

may be readily formed by simply cutting off the closed end 100 along anyintermediate point along the discharge tip 10B depending upon the sizeof OD desired for the orifice opening. Thus the closer the cut is madeto the reservoir portion 10A of the carrier, the larger will be thediameter of the orifice. To facilitate access to hard to reach areas, itis preferred that the discharge tip 10B be angularly disposed relativeto the longitudinal axis of the reservoir portion 10A as shown.

To seal the material within the carrier 10 a piston 13 is displaceablydisposed adjacent the open end of the carrier. The peripheral surface ofthe piston 13 is disposed in frictional sliding contact with theinterior walls of the reservior portion 10A so as to form an effectiveseal.

As viewed in FIG. 4, the carrier 10 comprises a preloaded capsule havinga precisely measured amount of dental filling material containedtherein. Depending on the nature of the dental filling material thenozzle capsule '10 illustrated in FIG. 4 can be readily sold anddistributed as shown.

Alternatively the nozzle 10 may be preformed with an orifice opening14.- In such event the nozzle is filled by the dentist with a suitabledental material immediately before applying material to a preparedcavity. Upon filling the capsule the dentist seals off the open end tothe reservoir portion 10A by a piston or plug 13. The plug or piston 13may be formed of an inert material, as for example, rubber, plastic orthe like. The end of the reservoir is flared or flanged at 15 asindicated to provide a stop as will be hereinafter described.

T effect a controlled discharge of the material 11 within the nozzle orcarrier in filling a prepared cavity, there is provided an applicatorgun 12. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the applicator gun 12 comprises abarrel type housing 12A formed of a tubular member having an end wall 16disposed at one end of the member 12A. The end wall 16 is provided withan aperture or opening 17 sized to receive the reservoir portion 10A ofthe carrier or nozzle 10. As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 the nozzle orpre-loaded carrier 10 is inserted through the opening 17 so that theflared or flanged portion is disposed in abutting relationship to theend wall 16. The size of the opening 17 is shaped so as to frictionallyreceive the reservoir portion 10A of the nozzle 10.

To facilitate the insertion of the nozzle 10 through the opening 17 inthe end wall 16, the barrel or housing 12A is provided with a cut-out todefine a breach loading opening 18 adjacent the end wall 16. Accordinglyit will be noted that the pre-loaded nozzle 10 can be readily insertedthrough the opening 17 through the breach access 18.

A plunger 19 is slidably disposed within the bore 12B of the housing 12Afor movement toward and away from the pro-loaded carrier 10. As shownthe plunger 19 comprises an elongated body portion 19A having apush-knob 20 connected to the extended end thereof and an actuatingprojection 21 connected to the other end.

The projection 21 is arranged so as to be disposed in axial alignmentwith the piston 13 sealing the dental material 11 within the carrier 10.To eject or discharge the material 11, the plunger 19 is pushed into thebarrel so that the projection 21 is urged against the end of the piston13. Accordingly, the piston 13 is pushed ahead of the projector 21 ofthe plunger 19 as the latter is pushed inwardly of the barrel. Thematerial is thus forced out the orifice -14 defined in the end of thedischarge tip 10B. It will be understood that the piston 13 defines asuflicient seal so that the material is forced out the orifice 14 of thedischarge tip 103 upon displacement thereof.

To facilitate gripping of the applicator 12 a circular finger grip 22 orguard is provided about the barrel. Accordingly the applicator 12 can bereadily gripped between the index and middle finger behind the fingergrip 22 and the thumb placed on the push knob 20 to 4 effectdisplacement of the plunger. The plunger 19 and the bore 12B of thebarrel are formed so as to provide for a smooth and firm slidingrelationship therebetween so as to provide the dentist with the properfeel for controlling the rate of discharge of the dental material 11.

With the carrier 10 and applicator gun 12 described, a dentist is nowcapable of using the flow technique to fill cavities from the insideout, and thereby avoid the formation of bubbles or voids in the fillingmaterial. Also the carrier and applicator facilitates the handling ofthe newer composite resins which are gaining favor with dentists as thebetter of the known restorative filling material. The carrier andapplicator greatly facilitate the handling of these new composite resinswhich are otherwise diflicult to handle with a palate and/ or arereactive with metal.

With the nozzle type pre-loaded capsule it will be understood that theycan be made in a plurality of predeterminate sizes, each containing aspecific amount of dental filling material. In this manner the dentistwill have readily available the precise amount of material needed for aparticular filling or cavity, thereby enabling the dentist to avoidneedless waste of otherwise valuable filling material.

While the carrier and applicator is particularly useful in handling thenewer composite resin filling material, the same may be also used forplacing acrylic fillings in cavities with the same flow technique. Alsothe instrument described may be used for the placing of the varioustypes of cements in a cavity, e.g. Cryphosphate of zinc cement,canborphate cement, Temnex, Dycal, root canal cements and calciumhydroxide.

The instrument can also be used to apply rubber base or silicone intoextremely small areas such as a post hole; and the placing of a suitableliquid onto a precise area.

FIG. 5 illustrates a modified form of the invention. In this form of theinvention the carrier 30 is similar in construction as hereinbeforedescribed. However, the applicator housing 31 is modified to include adetachable end wall 32 to illustrate another means for facilitating theloading of the nozzle capsule or carrier 30 thereto. In this form theend wall 32 is formed in the nature of a cap having a threaded portion32A adapted to mate with complementary threads 33 formed on the end ofthe barrel 31. As shown, the end cap 32 is provided with an aperture oropening 34 to accommodate the nozzle 30. Thus to effect the positioningof the nozzle 30 in the applicator, the end wall or cap 32 isunthreaded, the nozzle place in the opening 34 as indicated, and the cap32 and nozzle 30 rethread on the barrel 31. In all other respects theconstruction and operation is similar to that described with respect toFIGS. 1 to 4.

FIG. 6 illustrates another housing or barrel modification. In thisembodiment the barrel 40 is provided with an end wall or cap 41 which ispivotally connected to the end of the barrel 40 by a hinge 42. Aspreviously described, the end cap or wall 41 has an opening 43 foraccommodating the nozzle 44. The end wall or cap 41 also has a detent 45which is adapted to engage a catch 46 in the operative position as shownby the dash-dot line position.

To effect replacement or positioning of the nozzle 44 in opening 43 thedentist need only to unlatch the dentent 45 and pivot the end wall 41 tothe solid line showing. In all other respects the construction andoperation of the applicator gun of this embodiment is similar to thatpreviously described.

While the invention has been described with respect to severalembodiments, it will be understood and appreciated that variations andmodifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope ofthe invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Dental gun for effecting a flow technique or position a predeterminedquantity of a flowable, solid filling material in a tooth forrestorative dentistry comprising:

means defining a barrel housing, said housing having an end wall formedwith an aperture therein,

said housing having a longitudinally extending cut-out portion adjacentsaid end wall,

a nozzle means pre-loaded with a predetermined amount of fillingmaterial,

said nozzle means being inserted in said aperture througs said cut-outportion so as to project beyond said end Wall,

said nozzle means including a tubular body portion defining a reservoirfor containing a predetermined amount of filling material,

said body portion having a full opened end for charging said reservoirwith a filling material,

an outwardly extending flange circumscribing the full open end of saidbody portion,

said nozzle means including a discharge tip connected to the other endof said tubular body portion,

said discharge tip having an inlet end and an outlet end,

said inlet end being in open communication with the reservoir of saidbody portion,

said discharge end progressively decreasing in crosssection from theinlet end to the outlet end thereof,

said aperture being sized to snugly receive the body portion of saidnozzle means,

said flanged end of said nozzle means being adapted to bear against saidend wall to maintain said nozzle in position relative to said end wall,

a resilient free piston disposed in frictional sliding contact with theinternal walls of said body portion to seal said full open end,

a plunger means reciprocally mounted within said housing,

said plunger means including an end portion arranged to abut said freepiston to effect displacement thereof within said reservoir whereby saidpiston is displaced in one direction only to effect a controlleddischarge of the filling material from said nozzle.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said nozzle means isformed of a relatively inexpensive transparent material so as to renderit readily expendible.

3. The invention as defined is claim 1 wherein said discharge tip isangularly disposed relative to the connected body portion.

4. A dental gun for effecting a flow technique of positioning apredetermined quantity of a flowable, solid filling material in a toothfor restorative dentistry comprising:

means defining a barrel housing,

an end cap detachably connected to one end of said housing,

said end cap having an opening formed therein,

said end cap being detachably connected with the end of said housing,

a nozzle means pre-loaded with a predetermined amount of fillingmaterial,

said pre-loaded nozzle means being retained to said barrel housing bybeing inserted through said opening in said end cap,

said nozzle means including a tubular barrel portion defining areservoir for containing a predetermined amount of filling material,

said tubular body portion being extended through and beyond saidopening,

said body portion having a full open end for charging said reservoirwith a filling material,

said body portion being formed of an inexpensive, transparent materialto render said body portion readily expendible,

an outwardly extending flange circumscribing the full open end of saidbody portion,

said nozzle means including a discharge tip connected to the other endof said tubular body portion,

said discharge tip having an inlet end and an outlet end,

said inlet end being in open communication with the reservoir of saidbody portion,

said discharge end progressively decreasing in crosssection from theinlet end to the outlet end thereof,

said opening in the end cap being sized so as to snugly receive the bodyportion of said nozzle means,

said flanged end of said nozzle means being disposed to bear against theend cap to prohibit the nozzle means from becoming detached therefrom,

a resilient free piston disposed in frictional sliding contact with theinternal walls of said body portion to seal the full open end thereof,

a plunger means reciprocally mounted within said houssaid plunger meansincluding an end portion arranged to abut said piston to effect thedisplacement thereof within said reservoir whereby said piston isdisplaced in one direction only to effect a controlled discharge of thefilling material from said nozzle when said plunger is urged againstsaid piston.

5. The invention as defined in claim 4 wherein said end cap and adjacentend of said barrel housing have complementary mating means fordetachably connecting said end cap to said barrel housing.

6. The invention as defined in claim 4 including means for hingedlyconnecting said end cap to said tubular member for swinging between openand closed positions,

and means for locking said end cap to said tubular means.

7. The invention as described in claim 4 wherein said discharge tip isangularly disposed relative to said reservoir portion.

8. A carrier and applicator for dental filling material for effectingrestorative dentistry comprising:

an elongated tubular housing having means defining an end wall at oneend and an opening at the other end,

said end wall means being provided with an aperture,

a disposable plastic, transparent nozzle means preloaded with apredeterminate amount of filling material being detachably connected tosaid end wall means so as to extend through the aperture formed therein,

said nozzle means including a reservoir portion disposed in axialalignment with the aperture of said end wall means, said reservoirportion having a full open end adapted to receive a bulk supply of saidfilling material,

said reservoir portion having a laterally extending flangecircumscribing said full open end,

said flange being disposed to bear against said end wall to retain saidnozzle in position in said housing,

a free piston disposed in said reservoir portion to seal the inlet endthereto,

said piston being displaceably disposed within said reservoir portion,

a discharge tip end connected to said reservoir portion,

said discharge tip being progressively tapered from inlet to outletthereof,

a finger grip connected to said barrel housing adjacent the open endthereof,

a plunger reciprocally mounted within said housing,

said plunger having a longitudinally extending projection connected tothe inner end thereof,

said projection being disposed an axial alignment with the piston insaid nozzle whereby said projecting is adapted to abut With said freepiston and effect displacement of said piston Within said reservoirportion to extrude the filling material through the discharge tip ofsaid nozzle means,

and means formed on said barrel housing to facilitate the insertion andremoval of the nozzle means therefrom.

9. The invention as defined in claim 8 wherein said last mentioned meanscomprises a breach opening formed in the tubular housing adjacent saidend wall.

10. A carrier for dental material comprising:

a plastic transparent body defining a capsule including a reservoirportion having a full open end and a connected discharge tip portion,

the discharge end of said tip being initially sealed,

a predetermined amount of dental filling material disposed within thereservoir portion of said body,

said discharge end defining a nozzle for directing the discharge of thefilling material adapted to be contained in said capsule when the tip issevered,

a laterally and outwardly extending flange circumscribing the said fullend opening,

a displaceable free piston sealing said material within said tubularmember whereby said material is tip end.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Dalbey 32-60 Cerveris 3260Dolezzi et a1. 128-272X Kachergis 222-327X Cook 222-327X ROBERT PESHOCK,Primary Examiner

